Perez previously admitted he expected more of a starring role following his switch.

He said: "I had hoped to have more playing time but what I have to do now is make the most of the opportunities I get."

Arsene Wenger challenged Perez to win a place in his team following an impressive cameo appearance in the Champions League win against Ludogorets.

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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger signed Lucas Perez in the summer

Speaking ahead of the Reading game, Wenger said: "I believe he has the potential to be a great player for us.

"In training he continues to show he has the potential to play, he now has to transfer that into the games and the more he does that - against Reading he has an opportunity - the more we will be tempted to say, ‘let’s do it’."